Amnesty International News & Updates Feed

Video: Torture can never be justified

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:43:42 +0100

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In the video:

Murat Kurnaz, former detainee in Afghanistan and Guantánamo

President Jimmy Carter, US President 1977 - 1981

Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

Mary Robinson, Former Irish President 1990 - 1997

Abu Omar, Victim of rendition and secret detention

Malcolm Nance, former counter-terrorism advisor for the US government

Video: Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:10:54 +0100

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Manfred Nowak is the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

In May 2008, he spoke to Amnesty International about the role of European states in the US-led programmes of rendition and secret detention.

Video: Abu Omar, victim of rendition and secret detention

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:57:10 +0100

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US and Italian agents snatched Abu Omar from the streets of Milan in February 2003

He was rendered by US agents, via Germany, to Egypt, where he was held for nearly four years, including 14 months in secret detention.

Video: Murat Kurnaz, former detainee at Guantánamo and Afghanistan

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:55:34 +0100

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Murat Kurnaz was arrested in Pakistan in November 2001, and then held in US custody in Afghanistan and Guantánamo.

He was detained without charge or trial for nearly five years.

Released in August 2006, he is now back home in Bremen, Germany.

Video - Riga Pride 2008

Sat, 31 May 2008 19:31:16 +0100

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Amnesty International activists from around 30 countries gathering in Latvia to join Riga Pride 2008 in solidarity with the Mozaika alliance of LGBT people and other LGBT people in Riga, in Latvia and in the Baltic states.

Video: Brazilian women's lives shattered

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:35:53 +0100

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In May 2006 the people São Paulo witnessed a massive display of organized violence, as the notorious criminal gang, the PCC, took to the streets. Across the state more than 400 people were killed in little over a week, many by masked men linked to police or criminal gangs. Few if any of these cases have ever been investigated.

These clips are about the hidden victims. About the women who are left to pick up pieces when their fathers, brothers and sons are gunned down.

Dona Maria, Debora, Nalva and Vera are just a handful of women amongst thousands who are forced to live, bring up their children, and fight for justice against a backdrop of criminal and police violence. Without profound reforms these women will be forced to continue picking up the pieces.

Video: Gangs and police cripple Jamaica's inner cities

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:10:33 +0100

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Poor inner city Jamaicans are left at the mercy of gangs and abusive police officers who are rarely, if ever, brought to justice for human rights abuses. Watch Amnesty International's exclusive interviews and footage.

Video: Amnesty International reaches out for Kenya

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:22:22 +0100

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Since the disputed elections of the 27 December 2007, Kenya has been torn apart by a stream of politically-motivated and ethnic attacks. At least 1,000 people have been killed, while more than 500,000 have been internally displaced, and 12,000 have fled seeking refuge in neighbouring Uganda. Only handful of those responsible have been arrested and charged.

To protest against these human rights abuses and ongoing impunity, Amnesty International organised an International Day of Action on 27 February 2007. Amnesty International members around the world reached out for the people of Kenya.

The Government of Kenya must end the impunity of those responsible for post-election violence, including the members of the police who used excessive force. Only this way can the cycle of impunity and violence be broken.

Video: Post-election violence in Kenya

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:29:49 +0000

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Post-election violence in Kenya has forced thousands to flee their homes. More than 1,000 people have been killed. Amnesty International met with some of those most affected by the violence.

Video: The origami cranes' journey to Belarus

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:41:54 +0000

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When a Belarusian youth activist, Zmitser Dashkevich, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for "organizing or participating in activities of an unregistered organization" in November 2006, Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience. He became the subject of a global action during which Amnesty International members, youth groups and supporters sent over 10,000 origami cranes to the authorities.

A giant crane was created by Amnesty International youth members at the ICM in Mexico and sent to the Ministry of the Interior in Belarus, but the package was refused at the border. The crane was then sent to the local human rights NGO, Vyasna, who successfully delivered the crane to the Ministry.

Zmitser Dashkevich was released early from Sklou prison in Belarus on Wednesday, 23 January.